TRS/Midi Cable question Meris/DMC/Expression

[p4ul]

Bass brethren, I have ventured, probably very foolishly into midi madness.

My question is, has anyone here made their own [or have any knowledge of]  Midi [5pin] to TRS jack to link a DMC micro to a Meris Enzo?

 

Any known pinout weirdness/issues or is it "standard" issue?

 

 

[bass_dinger]

Midi [5pin] to TRS jack 

 

Such cables do exist, and are available (other suppliers can be found)

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/kenable-3-5mm-Stereo-Audio-Cable-Black/dp/B00KQUZQ4O/ref=asc_df_B00KQUZQ4O?mcid=9505f24b5e163411afc0646faf38461b&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=710760400267&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4222002176326608353&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9044980&hvtargid=pla-392235580309&hvocijid=4222002176326608353-B00KQUZQ4O-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1&th=1

 

This thread https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/521143-midi-pedal-board/#comment-5602414 has @BigRedX telling me that "MIDI leads despite using 5-Pin DIN connectors only use 3 of the conductors - the centre pin for earth and the two pins immediately either side of that for the data signal. The other two pins are unused."

 

 

 

[BigRedX]

You should be fine with any reputable DIN to 3.5mm TSR jack that is sold as being specifically for MIDI.

 

If you want to make your own use a two core twisted pair and screen cable.

 

Connect the screen to the centre pin (2) of the 5-pin DIN plug and to the sleeve of the 6.5mm jack.

 

Then connect pin 5 of the DIN to the ring of the jack and pin 4 to the tip (pins 4 and 5 are the two directly either side of the centre pin).

 

Pins 1 and 3 of the DIN plug (the outermost 2) are not used.

 

If you are getting earth hum or general MIDI weirdness you might need to experiment with disconnecting the shield at the mini jack end. MIDI devices are supposed to be opto-isolated at the MIDI in socket, but often devices that use mini jacks dispense with this as part of their cost-cutting measures which can lead to problems.

[paul_5]

Be aware though that there are 2 types of MIDI to TRS cable - one has the tip of the TRS going to pin 4 of the MIDI connector and the TRS ring to MIDI pin 5, and the other type has these connections reversed. They are (unsurprisingly) called type A and type B, so I'd check with your kit's manufacturer which one you need. It's not the end of the world if you wire them the wrong way round, as it won't cause any damage.

[BigRedX]

14 minutes ago, paul_5 said:

Be aware though that there are 2 types of MIDI to TRS cable - one has the tip of the TRS going to pin 4 of the MIDI connector and the TRS ring to MIDI pin 5, and the other type has these connections reversed. They are (unsurprisingly) called type A and type B, so I'd check with your kit's manufacturer which one you need. It's not the end of the world if you wire them the wrong way round, as it won't cause any damage.

 

Ans this is exactly why I won't buy MIDI gear with these Mickey Mouse mini jack connectors. As well as the fact that you can't use a decent chunky gig-proof cable with these tiny plugs.

[p4ul]

Thanks for the replies, I have scrounged up a few plugs and cables now so should be able to hack something together with a bit of T&E.

I did search the interschtrumf but got more and more confusing and conflicting results the deeper I went, so came here for some sanity 🧐

 

Allegedly M'lud, for Meris The cable MIDI > TRS should be soldered like this: Pin 5 > Tip - Pin 2 > Shield - Pin 4 disconnected. We shall see.

If I work it out will post the results here.

[BigRedX]

34 minutes ago, p4ul said:

Allegedly M'lud, for Meris The cable MIDI > TRS should be soldered like this: Pin 5 > Tip - Pin 2 > Shield - Pin 4 disconnected. We shall see.

 

That sounds like all kinds of wrong, but if that information has come from the manufacturer...

 

The original MIDI spec uses the pins 4 and 5 to transmit the data and pin 2 is a ground/shield for the data transmission, but is generally disconnected at the input end of a MIDI link to prevent ground loops between the audio and data connections.

 

Edit: Just had a look at the Meris device in question. It looks as though it uses a quarter-inch jack for the MIDI connection which is a slight plus, but even though there is probably room for a proper DIN socket for the MIDI in they have elected to use a jack so it can be dual function: expression pedal or MIDI. What do you do if you want to use an expression pedal and have external MIDI control?

Edited Wednesday at 17:42 by BigRedX

[p4ul]

 

On 21/01/2026 at 17:34, BigRedX said:

What do you do if you want to use an expression pedal and have external MIDI control?

I think this is the hurdle I am trying to jump.. But I may not have been clear in my original question because I was already confused 🫠.

Internet rumor has it that this should work per this vid

"The connection path: EXP -(trs)-> DMCmicro -(midi)-> Meris midi I/O -(trs)-> Meris midi/exp input"

 

My issue is that the expression pedal does not have a DIN so I need to convert the stereo Jack to a "MIDI" plug 🤯

 

For external control, the micro USB can hook up to the MAC and deal with the rest of the midi functions via the editor etc. [I hope]

Edited 17 hours ago by p4ul
missed a "but" ...... missus!

[p4ul]

On 21/01/2026 at 14:48, BigRedX said:

If you want to make your own use a two core twisted pair and screen cable.

 

Connect the screen to the centre pin (2) of the 5-pin DIN plug and to the sleeve of the 6.5mm jack.

 

Then connect pin 5 of the DIN to the ring of the jack and pin 4 to the tip (pins 4 and 5 are the two directly either side of the centre pin).

 

Pins 1 and 3 of the DIN plug (the outermost 2) are not used.

 

If you are getting earth hum or general MIDI weirdness you might need to experiment with disconnecting the shield at the mini jack end. MIDI devices are supposed to be opto-isolated at the MIDI in socket, but often devices that use mini jacks dispense with this as part of their cost-cutting measures which can lead to problems.

 

I think you have already answered my query 🎉 

 

I can just change the "jack" to a "socket" or chop the expression pedal cable and add a Midi plug. 

 

I have been known to massively over think things before now.

[paul_5]

Don’t know if this is of any use, but it’s FAR easier to add a TRS plug to a MIDI cable than the other way around - bigger terminals make for easier soldering. Get yourself a MIDI cable and chip one end off rather than trying to fit a MIDI jack to a TRS. Why make life difficult for yourself?

[p4ul]

10 hours ago, paul_5 said:

Why make life difficult for yourself?

Several reasons, I like to try make stuff, abelit badly in some cases 🙂

 

I don't have a midi cable, but i do have some vintage DIN/midi plugs in a box, a barrel jack socket and a bit shielded pair ... [ in a previous life, and with no previous knowledge, tools or internet, I reclaimed and rewired 120pin EDAC cables into interlinks for my mobile studio, from that I learned that one does not pick up a soldering iron and simply walk into mordor] 

 

Sauron's Multiplug

 

 

Yeah, I could just buy the things pre-made from ebay, but where is the fun in that? And when I have f**ked it all up, and failed, but learned a few things then I will go to fleabay 🙂

Edited 2 hours ago by p4ul

[BigRedX]

While I also hate soldering DIN plugs and sockets with a passion, IME commercially made MIDI leads are mostly terrible.

 

The cheaper ones with their horrible moulded plugs, undersized pins and weedy cable are just about OK for permanent studio installations where the connections are made once and then never touched for several years, but on no account would I ever consider using them at a gig. Anything I would consider road worthy is eye-wateringly expensive compared with the cost of making my own, so whenever I need a MIDI cable out come the magnifying glass and soldering clamps.